original

Echoes of the Night

章 1: Moving to the Unknown: Meeting Thomas, My Roommate

In the late 2000s, the momentous day arrived, marking my transition from high school to university life. Eager to embark on my journey in information technology, I relocated to a university residence, bidding farewell to my family home, which lay distanced from my academic pursuits.

As I got closer to my fresh place of residence, I felt a mixture of excitement and unease as I was ready to meet the person who would share the space with me.

With bags packed, I crossed the threshold into the room that awaited my presence. It was a humble abode, appearing aged and neglected, an unwanted space forsaken by time.

Yet, amidst the apparent disarray, one side bore traces of tidiness, hinting at a glimmer of care and order.

As I settled in, my ears perked at the sound of the door unlocking, announcing the entrance of my yet-to-be-seen roommate.

The door creaked open, and a figure stepped in, their presence seemingly filling the room. A tall, striking silhouette emerged, crowned by a mix of blond and brown hair.

The mystery roommate cast an inquisitive gaze upon me, demanding an answer to his silent question. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice resonating with a tinge of surprise.

Caught off guard, I stammered out my introduction, "I am your new roommate; my name is Jeffery. Nice to see you! ".

Despite the warm greeting, his expression held traces of unanticipated confusion, as if the arrival of a roommate was unforeseen.

With an air of nonchalance, he introduced himself as Thomas, a third-year student, and relayed a curious observation, "Oh! Yeah, I got it now. By the way, my name is Thomas. Nice to see you too! I am in third year; you seem to be a new student."

The exchange left me somewhat taken aback, as Thomas appeared younger than anticipated for a third-year student. "Yes, I am in my first year, and I am new to this city too…" I replied, attempting to quell the unease rising within me.

Thomas, seemingly eager to impart wisdom, interjected before I could continue, "Well, don't worry, but let me tell you something very important! Don't go to the dining room after eight P.M, and one more thing, don't go trusting those people around you. See you later!"

And with those enigmatic words, he exited the room, leaving me in a state of bewilderment. wondering, 'What the hell is going on?'

Seeking solace in the familiar act of unpacking, I organized my belongings with a determined resolve.

A nap seemed like a much-needed respite after the flurry of activity. Setting an alarm for dinner, I succumbed to the fatigue and drifted into slumber.

Awakening later, I found a handwritten note from Thomas awaiting my attention.

It contained an unexpected gesture, "Hey, I brought you some food. It's in the fridge. So once again, don't go to the cafeteria, okay! - Thomas."

The note's content only deepened my intrigue about the enigmatic dining room. Pondering Thomas's warnings, my blood boils within, frustration mingling with curiosity, rousing a storm of emotions within.

Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, I descended to the first floor, as I looked around; I could feel a strange energy fill the room.

It was like a blanket of darkness had been thrown over everything, making it hard to see. I strained my eyes, trying to make out the shapes in the dimly lit space.

The lack of light seemed to bring a hushed stillness to the room, as if time itself had slowed down within me, urging me to explore the hidden corners and uncover the secrets held within.